Tire-protecting automobile-body.



I. Q. CLARKE.

TIRE PROTECTING AUTOMOBILE BODY.

APPLICATION mm JAN.10. 1914.

1 1 9 1 ,40 1 Patented July 18, 1916.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

W11 ZaMa A TTOR NE Y.

I. Q. CLARKE. TIRE PROTECTING AUTOMOBILE BODY.

APPLICATION FILED IAN. I0. I9I4.

Patented July 18, 1916,

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTOR.

A TTOR NEY WITNESSES: J6

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN Q. CLARKE, OF CRAWFORDSVILLE, INDIANA.

TIRE-PROTECTING AUTOMOBILE-BODY.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN Q. CLARKE, a citizenof the United States, residing at rawfordsville, in the county ofMontgomer 1 and Stateof In liana, have invented a new and usefulTire-Protecting Automobile- Body, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings and tothe letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to automobiles or similar vehicles thatv havepneumatic tires or other tires on their wheels, the invention havingreference more particularly to an automobile body having a compartmentin which a spare tire, or a rim and a tire thereon, or a complete s arewheel including its tire, may be conveniently carried to be used inemergency or when required to replace another.

An object of the invention is to provide improved means for enabling anautomobile to carry spare wheel equipment in a secure and protectedmanner so as to be readily available when required for use.

Another object is to provide means for concealing mcnt so that the sameshall not be unsightly in appearance and shall not be exposed to dust,rain, or the suns rays which exert a deteriorating influence thereon.

A further object is to provide improved means for securely carrying"spare wheel equipment so as to guard against petty thefts thereof orinjury thereto, which means shall be so constructed as to be relativelyinexpensive, highly effective and also durable and economical in use.

\Vith the above mentioned and other objects in view, the inventionconsists in an automobile or motor vehicle body provided with aprotecting compartment adapted to securely carry a pneumatic tire or awheel and a tire thereon so as to be substantially stationary in thecompartment and not cause annoyance to the occupants of the vehicle, norshift about in the compartment with consequent injury to the tire; theinvention consisting further in novel means for securing the tire orwheel in the compartment, and comprising also a novel construction inautomobile bodies whereby the tire-carrying compartment is produced, andnovel means whereby the locking of the (annpartment so as to effectcomplete and secure inclosurc is attained.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed January 1Q, 1914.

and carrying a spare wheel equip- Patented July 18, 1916.

Serial No. 811,348.

The invention also consists further in the novel parts and in thecombinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter particularlydescribed and further defined in the accompanying claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a rear elevation of an automobileconstructed substantially in accordance with the invention. in whichportions are broken away and parts not relating to the inventionomltted; Fig. 2, a perspective view of a hanger or hoisting appliancepreferably employed in the tire-carrying compartment of the vehiclebody; Fig. 3, a sectional view of a lock that is suitable for use inconnection with the invention; Fig. 4, a fragmentary sectional view ofthe improved automobile body on the line A A in Fig. 1; Fig. 5, afragunentary section approximately on the line B B in Fig. 1; Fig. 6, asection a proximately on the line C C in Fig. 4 fooking forward; Fig. 7,a fragmentary horizontal section of the rear portion of the bodyslightly modified; Fig. 8, a fragmentary section on the plane of line DD in Fig. 6; Fig. 9, a fragmentary side view showing the preferred formof latch bar for the door of the compartment; Fig. 10, a fragmentarysection approximately on the line E E (in F ig. 12); Fig. 11, afragmentary section approximately on the line C C in Fig. 1 lookingrearward, and Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section approximately on the lineA A' in Fig. 1 but slightly modified.

Similar reference characters in the different figures of the drawingsindicate corresponding elements or features of construction hereinreferred to.

In the drawings the numerals 1 and 2 indicate the rear wheels, 3 therear axle, and t the springs whereby the axle supports the automobilebody.

In practically carrying out the objects of the invention a suitable bodyframe is provided which, as illustrated, comprises two side sills orbars 5 and 6 on the rear ends of which two corner posts 7 and 8 arerespectively secured, the posts preferably leaning slightly rearwardly,two other posts 9 and 10 being secured upon the sills at a suitabledistance forward of the corner posts respectively, and preferably atransverse sill 11 is secured to the side sills at the bases of theposts S) and 10 and support a seat frame member 12. A floor 13 issupported by the side sills 5 and 6 and extends forward from the sillI], a seat frame support 14 being provided on which a. seat frame member15 is supported, and a suitable seat It is sup ported on the members 1;and 15 and pro \ided with a cushion 17. Preferably a back rail 18 isarranged upon the member 11:, another back rail 15 bein;.- connected tothe posts 9 and lt at a suita le height above the rail 1 A frame rail 20is connected to the corner posts T and t4 opposite to the rail 19, andtwo relatively short rails 2t and are connected to the rails 11 and 2t).one being connccted also to the posts 7 and S) and the other to theposts 8 and 10, a roof or cover plate 2 3 being! secured upon the railsl1) and 2t and 21 and :32, to complete the top portion of thetireklnildin; compartment. A body (side plate or board 24 is secured tothe V 7 and i and also to the sill .3 and the rail-J91, a similar sideplate or board 25 being? lured to the post 8 and 1 and also to the'si'll t5 and the rail 22, the side plates or boards extending forwardas may be required, the middle and forward portions of the automobilebody being constructed as may be desired.

A panel plate or boa rd 26 is secured to the sill l1 and the framemember 12 and also to the posts 9 ind 1 another panel plate or board 27her g secured to the rails 18 and it) and also to the posts 9 and 10 toconstitute a seat back, the two plates or boards and the members towhich they are connected comprising the forward wall of the tire-holding('OHII'HIl'tIIIOIIlZ. the forward side of whiclris provided with asuitable back cushion 28 that extends upward from the rail 18 to therail 15) and preferably over the plate or board 23. A frame rail 2 isconnected to the rear posts 7 and 9, preferably at :Usuitalole heightabme the side sills 5 and t RH] rear plate or panel 30 bein; connectedto the rails 29 and 2t) and also to the corner posts on the rear orouter side thereof. a lining plate 31 preferably being, connected to theforward or inner sides of the rails and posts so as to be opposite andslightly apart from the outer plate or panel 30, a. stitl'etiing" rail32 preferably being arranged between the two plates or panels, and the.lowcr end of the platc or panel 30 preferably has a lip ill; thereonadapted to form a water shed. The structure. as will be se n, forms acompartment or chamber adapted to rst'lude dust or rain from theinterior there i i the chamber or compartment. having an open lower endinto which the heel or tire may be inlwrted. The lower end of thecompartment is normally closed by a suitable door 31 which is providedfor the purpose and connected by means of ,llllgftfi 153 to the rail 11.and in the preterrial form the door has an oblique angled back portionfit that extends upward to the rail 2 behind the water shed The door isprovided with suitable means for securing it in'normal position, theback portion 3 3 preferably beimg provided with catch devices 37 and555. Suitable guides 39, 39, and 40, 40, are secured on the inner sideof the rail 2!) or the lining panel 31 and guide a latch bar 41 so thatthe bar may move longitudinally in horizontal position, the opposite endportions of the bar having suitable latch bolt ends and 43 adapted toengage the catch devices 37 and 3S respectively whereby the door issecurely latched t the rear wall portion of the compartment. he latchbar preferably provided with a knob ll, the shank of which extendsthrough a slot 45 in the rear wall of the co|npart meat so that the barmay be operated from the outer side of the com mrtinenti. The upper sideof the bar ll preferably has a recess 46 formed therein for controllingor locking the bar.

A suitable lock adapted to safeguard the contents of the compartment isa modification of the Yale type of lock comprising a lock case 47secured to the panel plate 30 and laying a cylinder to therein providedwith a key hole 45), there being sections of bolts 5 mounted in the lockcase and other bolt sections .31 mounted in the cylinder and controL-zdby a peculiar lay 512 so that the cylinder cannot be turned excepting bymeans of a specially designed key ditlicult to imitate. A plate 53 issecured to the inner end of the cylinder and has a finger 54 thereonthat extends into the notch or recess 46, so that the latch bar 41 mayif desired be shifted by means of the boy, and secures the bar in normallocked position when the cylinder is properly set and the key removedtherefrom.

In some cases the rear wall of the compartn'ient is extended down to theside sills 5 and (3 and includes a transverse rail 55, in which case thelip or back portion 36 of the door is omitted the door extending to therail 55 and is provided with catch devices 56 adapted to be engaged bythe end portions of the latch bar 4t. Various means may be providedwithin the compartment of the vehicle body for preventing the contentsfrom being jolted about therein. two suitable tire seats 57 and 58preferably being secured upon the inner side. of the compartment door 3Jone seat being provided with a strap 59 and a buckle, G0. the otherbeing provided with a similar strap 59' and a buckle (30 whereby tosecure a tire. or a demountable rim and a tire on the seats, the upperportion of the tire. ordinarily leaning against the lining plate 31 f rlateral support.

In order to steady the tire ford meansfor easilylifting the tire ordemountable rim and a tire into the compartment a suitable pulley blockor frame and also to afv61 is supported by r the compartment may theunder side of the roof plate or board 23 and has a suitable pulley 62mounted therein, a suitable strap 63 being placed on the pulley andprovided with a hanger pad or saddle 64 adapted to support the upperportion ofthe tire or rim thereon, the strap 63 being provided with abuckle 65 to which is connected a strap or tongue 63 that is connectedto the pad or saddle. The strap 63 is provided with suitable holes 67 toreceive a knob or stud 68 which is secured to the panel 26 for holdingthe pad or saddle in proper position and pregenting the tire fromsagging down and from moving toward the sides 54 or 25 of thecompartment, this appliance in some cases being sufficient withoutrequiring the tire to be secured to the door or bottom of thecompartment. The strap 63 preferably is provided with a suitable stopbar 69 to prevent the strap from being drawn through the pulley block orframe 61 when the tire is lowered from the compartment.

In same cases two elastic guides or spring fingers 70 and 71 areprovided and have their base end portions 72 and 73 respectively securedto the panel 26, or obviously to the sill l1, and they extend upward inparallel arrangement opposite to the panel 27 and tend to press the tireto the lining plate 31 so that the upper portion of the tire cannot bejolted against the seat back 27 to the annoyance of the riders when thevehicle is in motion and to the detriment of the tire, the tire hangerbeing in some cases omitted, the upper portions of the guides or fingershaving curved portions 74 and 75 respectively that are adapted to extendpartially over the tire toward the rear wall of the compartment, apneumatic tire 76 being illustrated as secured by all the applianceshercinbefore described, and obviously the appliances are equally welladapted for securing the tire when connected to a demountable rim. Thesecuring devices, however, may be variously modified as may be founddesirable in particular cases.

In practical use, in order to insert a tire into the compartment, thedoor 34 is opened to permit the insertion of the tire which is liftedupward into the compartment, after which the door is swung upward so asto support the tire, the strap 63 if provided being used to assist inelevating the tire and supporting it. Before the door is clos d thestraps 9 and 59', if provided, are connected to their buckles, afterwhich the door is entirely closed and securely locked so as to preventaccess to the contents of the com partnient excepting by destructiveforce, the contents being effectually concealed and retained in properposition for the prcservation thereof and protected from the weather. Inemergency, it is obvious that the door of be readily unlocked by theproprietor and the tire quickly removed in a clean condition and goodorder so as to be ready for immediate use.

Having thus described-the invention, what is claimed as new is '16 1. Anautomobile body provided with a tire-receiving compartment, and anelastic guide bar secured at one end to the forward wall and cxtcl'idingupward and also toward the opposite rearward wall of the compartment.

2. An automobile body provided with a tire-receiving compartment, therear wall of the compartment being plane-faced to form a supportingguide, and a plurality of elastic guide bars secured at one end to thelower portion of the forward wall and extending upward and also towardthe rear wall of the compartment.

3. An automobile body provided with a tire-receiving compartment, thelower portion of the compartment being open and provided with a movableclosure, the closure being constructed for bodily supporting a tire inthe compartment, the rear wall of the compartment being plane-faced forguiding and laterally supporting the tire, and an elastic guide barsupported in the compartment and constructed for holding the tire incontact with the rear wall.

4. An automobile body provided with a tire-receiving compartment havingtire-hoisting means supported in the upper portion thereof, the oppositeforward and rearward walls of the compartment leaning rear- 00 wardly,the lower portion of the compartment being open, a door hinged to thebody for closing the opening, and two elastic guide bars secured at oneend to the lower portion of the front wall and extending up- 05 ward andalso rearward toward the upper portion of the rear wall of thecompartment on opposite sides respectively of the tirehoisting means.

5. An automobiie body provided with a tire rccciving compartmcnt havinga pulley in. the upper portion thereof, the lower portion of thecompartment being open. a door hinged to the body for closing theopening, and a strap extending over the pulley and provided with atire-supporter.

b. An automobile body provided with a tire-receiving compartnuntcomprising two sides, a front wall with a cushion on the front sidethereof to form a scat back, a rear wall, and a ro f, al conne tedtogether. means for bodily sui'iimrting a fire in the compartment, and adevice supported in the compartment and having a guide portion thatextends from a point adjaccnt to the rear side of the front wall andupwardly toward the rear wall to guide and hold the tire away from thoscat back.

"i. An automobile body provided with a tire-receiving compartmentcomprising a front Wall, a rear Wall opposite the front Wall, two sideWalls, a roof on the Walls, :1 door hinged to the lower portion of thefront Wall and normally extending: to the lower portion-of the rearwall, a rntrh (onnerted to the inner side of the door udjurent to thelower portion f the rear Wall, a hitch lmr slidingly supportedhorizontally on the inner side of the lower p rtion of the rear val] tocooperate with the eutrh and secure the door to the rear wall, the barhaving an operating device thereon that extends thz ough the wall, and alock mounted in the lower portion of the rear wall ahovr the latrh liarand lmving a device that is in engagement with the latch bar.

An automobile hodv provided with a tire-receiving compartmenteonngrisingg a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, two sidewalls, a roof on the \Yilllfi a door hinged to the low-r portion of thefrom Wall and normally extending to the lower portion of the rear wall,to o tire-seats spared apart and secured Upon the inner side of thedoor. two buckles mounted on the tile-seats respertively, and twoStrain, mounted rllF fl mar m1 t ldes on the tir res pecti vel y.

9. In a tire nation of n fr: w you Willi two side \valls eonnwwl. mamthe Front and rear ails. a roof .wii 0' with oil the mills and providedn nil? \id therein" with a, pulley, and :1 n extending over the pulleyand provided \Jl' it nddle and means for germ-in}: a: tin lo filmzuiillv.

ii In a the tiny: automobile body, the onxliinziii-rn oi root will, :1fill-' will, no side walla t' 'nllltfz'ltd with the fr nt and rearwalls. :1 r ot 'innrrtwl ith nil the \Yl llifl and two hn; tmgymronnertil at on end to the orl'nm o! the trout wall rind oxtendii titoward th root iUl l also real-m: l twvnzd the rm? xvi ll lwtoeen th ide\t' lllffl in teetinn" in Q 'ilAlililG, Witnesses:

JANFS (l. (low

